Excessive Cat Drooling: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatments
Oct 10,2024 | puaintapets
Observing an unusual increase in salivation in your cat can raise a host of questions and concerns for pet owners. Moderate salivation is fine, but excessive or sudden salivation is often a warning sign that there is something going on behind the scenes in your pet's health. Keep an eye out for other symptoms that accompany drooling, such as loss of appetite, behavioural changes or weight loss, which together form a more complete picture of health. Any sudden changes should be seen as a sign of an emergency. Vigilance and careful observation, combined with regular veterinary check-ups, are three indispensable steps in guarding your cat's health. The phenomenon of cat drooling reminds us that understanding its deeper meaning and taking appropriate action can truly safeguard the well-being of our feline family members.
Why Is My Cat Drooling?
Common Causes of Drooling in Cats
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Oral health problems
Oral health issues such as dental problems, gingivitis or mouth ulcers can cause your cat to drool. These problems can cause pain and make your cat drool involuntarily.
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Digestive problems
Gastrointestinal obstruction: foreign bodies or tumours etc. may cause intestinal obstruction, triggering vomiting and drooling.
Pancreatitis: inflammation of the pancreas may lead to abnormal secretion of digestive enzymes, causing abdominal pain, diarrhoea and drooling.
Liver disease: Liver dysfunction may affect bile secretion, which in turn affects fat digestion and may be accompanied by drooling.
Intestinal inflammation: Inflammation of the intestines may lead to poor digestion and absorption, causing nausea and drooling.
Parasitic infections: Intestinal parasites may interfere with the normal digestive process, causing discomfort and drooling.
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Poisoning or allergic reactions
Ingestion of toxic substances or allergies to certain substances can cause cats to drool, and this is often accompanied by other symptoms such as difficulty breathing or redness of the skin.
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Neurological disorders
Certain diseases affecting the brain or nervous system may cause cats to be unable to control saliva secretion normally, thus triggering drooling.
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Foreign objects in the mouth
If a cat has a foreign object stuck in their mouth, they may try to expel it by drooling.
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Oral Muscle or Salivary Gland Problems
Weakness of the oral muscles or salivary gland dysfunction may also cause your cat to drool.
If your cat suddenly starts drooling, especially if it is accompanied by loss of appetite, behavioural changes or other unusual symptoms, contact your veterinarian immediately for an examination to rule out an underlying health problem. Prompt diagnosis and treatment is vital to maintaining your cat's health.
What to Do if Cat is Drooling from Stomatitis?
Pathogens of Stomatitis in Cats
Stomatitis in cats is an inflammation of the mucous membranes of your cat's mouth, and this condition can be caused by a variety of pathogens. Common pathogens include:
Bacteria: such as Actinomyces , Corynebacterium and Staphylococcus.
Viruses: Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV) and Feline Cupulovirus (FCV).
Fungi: Candida albicans
Parasites: hookworms
Symptoms of stomatitis in cats
Redness and swelling of the mouth: stomatitis may cause your cat's oral mucosa to become inflamed and look red and swollen.
Excessive salivation: Cats may salivate more due to oral discomfort.
Loss of appetite or refusal to eat: pain in the mouth can make your cat reluctant to eat or refuse food altogether.
Oral odour: infection or inflammation may cause your cat's mouth to emit an unpleasant odour.
Difficulty chewing or swallowing: severe stomatitis may affect a cat's ability to chew and swallow.
Behavioural changes: the cat may become more agitated or depressed due to pain.
Treatment of stomatitis
Medication: Antibiotics are commonly used to treat stomatitis caused by bacterial infection. If stomatitis is associated with a viral infection, antiviral medications may be needed. In addition, anti-inflammatory medications and painkillers may be used to reduce inflammation and pain.
Oral Cleaning: Regularly wipe your cat's teeth and gums gently with warm water and a pet-specific oral cleaner to remove plaque and food debris.
Dietary adjustments: Provide soft food or wet food to minimise mechanical irritation in the mouth and choose food that is easy to chew and digest.
Hydration: Encourage your cat to drink more water, either by increasing the number of water bowls or using a running water fountain to increase your cat's interest in drinking.
Nutritional supplementation: Ensure your cat receives adequate nutrition, and add vitamin and mineral supplements if necessary to support oral health.
Reduce stress: Provide a quiet and comfortable resting environment and reduce factors that may cause your cat to become stressed and anxious, as stress may exacerbate stomatitis symptoms.
Regular veterinary check-ups: even if symptoms improve with home care, take your cat to the veterinarian for regular check-ups to monitor progress and make timely adjustments to the treatment plan.
When to See a Vet
When your cat shows symptoms of drooling, you should judge whether you need to take your cat to the hospital for examination based on the following conditions.
Persistent or sudden worsening
If your cat starts drooling suddenly or has been drooling continuously for a period of time, this may be a sign of concern.
Accompanied by other symptoms
If drooling is accompanied by loss of appetite, weight loss, mouth odour, breathing difficulties, behavioural changes or obvious signs of oral pain, these are all reasons to take your cat to the hospital.
Oral examination
Carefully examine your cat's mouth for redness, ulcers, swelling or foreign objects. Oral problems are a common cause of drooling in cats.
Age and medical history
Elderly cats or cats with chronic health problems that exhibit drooling should be more vigilant and schedule a veterinary exam as soon as possible.
If you observe any of the above, it is recommended that you contact your veterinarian immediately for a face-to-face examination so that possible health problems can be diagnosed and treated promptly!
FAQs
Why Is My Cat Having So Much Saliva?
If you've noticed your cat producing unusually large amounts of saliva, known medically as hypersalivation or ptyalism, it could stem from various sources ranging from simple explanations to more serious medical conditions. Here are the primary causes to consider:
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Dental and Oral Issues
- Periodontal Disease: A common issue in cats, periodontal disease involves inflammation and infection around the tooth roots, causing pain and excessive drooling.
- Broken Teeth: Fractured teeth can expose sensitive nerve endings, triggering saliva overproduction.
- Mouth Ulcers or Tumors: Abnormal growths or sores in the mouth can lead to excessive salivation as a response to discomfort.
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Gastrointestinal Problems
- Inflammatory Bowel Diseases (IBD): Inflammatory processes in the digestive tract can extend to the mouth area, stimulating excess saliva production.
- Vomiting or Nausea: Preceding vomiting or nausea stimulates glands to produce saliva as part of the body's protective reflexes against toxins.
Can Dehydration Cause Drooling In Cats?
Dehydration itself is not a common cause of direct salivation in cats. Often, drooling in cats can be associated with oral problems, gastrointestinal disorders, neurological disorders, toxin exposure or medication side effects. However, dehydration may indirectly affect your cat's salivation, as the function of the salivary glands may be affected when the body's fluid balance is disturbed.
Cats may exhibit symptoms of dehydration such as increased thirst, dry nose and mouth, decreased urine output and urine concentration, protruding eyes, decreased coat quality and skin elasticity, and decreased behaviour and activity. These symptoms are not the same as the direct cause of salivation, but they are important indicators of your cat's health.
Why Is My Cat Drooling While Purring?
A cat snoring and drooling at the same time can confuse many pet parents. While there is a clear correlation between each behavior in and of itself. While snoring usually indicates contentment, and drooling can suggest a variety of conditions, their combination requires careful observation.
Purring is not just a sign of happiness. Cats make this sound in a variety of situations, including stress, illness, recovery and even childbirth. This rhythmic vibration has multiple uses, both for self-soothing and for conveying comfort to others. Drooling is usually a sign of dental problems, gastrointestinal distress or nervous disorders, and when it occurs alone you need to consult your veterinarian. However, when paired with purring, there are more explanations. Despite the seemingly positive connotation, it’s wise to rule out any health issues. Dental problems, such as gum disease or loose teeth, can coexist with a relaxed state, leading to both behaviors simultaneously. Regular check-ups ensure no underlying health concern goes unnoticed.
Conclusion
Occasional drooling in cats may be normal, such as when they are playing, excited, or trying to clean themselves. Drooling in this case is usually short-lived and the cat appears to be active and healthy. However, persistent or excessive drooling usually indicates a health problem in the cat that needs attention. Drooling in cats can be related to the following: oral disease, dental problems, poisoning, stress, neurological disorders, infections and foreign objects in the mouth. By understanding the potential causes of your cat's drooling and monitoring the accompanying symptoms, you can ensure that your cat receives the care it needs to stay healthy. If your cat is experiencing unusual drooling, monitor for other symptoms and consult your veterinarian for professional evaluation and treatment. Early recognition and management of these conditions is essential to maintaining your cat's health.
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